Randy Arozarena showcased his power once again, hitting a solo home run, while Luis Castillo dominated on the mound, as the Seattle Mariners triumphed over the Houston Astros with a score of 6-1 on Friday night.
Arozarena’s home run, a well-executed hit off Astros left-hander Brandon Walter in the fourth inning, marked his 18th of the season and positioned him as one of only two players in the majors this year to achieve 10 or more home runs over a span of 14 games.
The Mariners gained further momentum in the seventh inning when designated hitter Mitch Garver connected for another solo homer, capitalizing on a fastball from Astros lefty Bennett Sousa, which doubled Seattle’s lead.
The Mariners exploded in the eighth inning, scoring four additional runs with contributions including RBI singles from J.P. Crawford and Cal Raleigh, a sacrifice fly executed by Donovan Solano, and a wild pitch that added to the tally.
Luis Castillo, making his first start post-All-Star break, delivered an outstanding performance on the mound. He recorded seven strikeouts while only allowing three hits, all of which were singles, before exiting the game in the seventh inning with a solid win that improved his record to 7-5.
A key moment in the game came in the third inning, where the Astros had an opportunity to take an early lead with two runners in scoring position. However, nine-time All-Star Jose Altuve struck out swinging, ending the scoring threat and shifting momentum back to the Mariners.
A highlight of the season thus far for Seattle has been the impressive performance of Raleigh, who also won the All-Star Home Run Derby earlier in the week, becoming the first catcher and switch hitter to do so. Alongside Arozarena, he has achieved the feat of recording 10 or more home runs over a 14-game stretch this season.
Looking ahead, the Mariners will face Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. in the second game of the series on Saturday, while Seattle counters with right-hander Logan Evans. The matchup promises to be an engaging continuation of this vital series.
This game exemplifies the Mariners’ resilience and skill as they keep pushing toward playoff contention, with standout performances igniting hope for fans as they aim to build momentum through the remainder of the season.